Syracuse – ALL-STAR BREAK
Since a 5-2 win on June 1 to get back to .500 (26-26), Syracuse has gone 11-25 to return to the I.L. North cellar, and are just a game and a half better than Louisville Bats, who they battled and “beat” last season for the I.L.’s worst record. Roster moves: C Pedro Severino optioned from Washington.

Harrisburg – ALL-STAR BREAK
Despite a two-game slide going into the break, the third-place Senators remain within striking distance of the first-place RubberDucks at five games behind and 1½ games behind the second-place Curve.

Twice Matt DeRosier kept Lynchburg from scoring; the other three innings, not so much. The Hillcats doubled up the P-Nats, 6-3 to hand Potomac its fifth straight loss. DeRosier was knocked for five runs on eight hits, including a home run, while walking two and striking out four over five innings. It was his second loss in three starts. Nick Banks (two singles) and Rhett Wiseman (two walks) were the only two P-Nats hitter to reach base twice.

The Suns outhit the Power, 14-5 but came up short on the scoreboard for a 6-4 loss. Brigham Hill lost for the third time in five starts as he gave up four runs on four hits and four walks over three and 2/3rds innings. Jared Johnson got Hagerstown out of the 4th but gave up a two-run HR in the 5th before tossing a scoreless 6th. The other Jared (Brasher) kept West Virginia off the board to set up the Hagerstown comeback, which came in the 9th as Alex Dunlap smacked a two-run HR to cap a three-run rally. Paul Panaccione singled and Omar Meregildo doubled to put the tying runs in scoring position before Kameron Esthay made the 14th out in 15 chances with RISP to strand the 12th and 13th batters of the night.

Cody Wilson’s two-out double in the 9th put Auburn up for good as they edged West Virginia, 6-5 to take the series 2-1. Aaron Fletcher made his second start and turned in two scoreless innings with a one walk and one hit before turning it over to Angel Guillen, who gave up four runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk over three and 2/3rds innings. Tanner Driskill let in the tying run in the 8th but pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the blown-save-win. Cole Daily led the Doubleday hit column with three singles, followed by Wilson and Carson Shaddy, who both went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Roster moves: RHP Chandler Day reassigned from the GCL.

GCL Nationals – OFF DAY
After briefly surfacing above .500 (7-6) just before the 4th, the G-Nats have lost four of five to fall to 8-10 and third place in the GCL East.

24 Commments

Day up to Auburn probably joined by his Vandy teammate soon
Just curious fans. Which cities are the two West Virginia franchises located – the Power in Sally League and the NYPL affiliate ??
One would think Shady should see Hags by August ??

Another day, another struggling start by a 2017 draftee, this time Brigham Hill. Encouraging start by 2018 draftee Aaron Fletcher, though. I think he’s a real sleeper in this class, the Friday starter from a strong program at the U of Houston.

Good games all around at Auburn for a number of the lower-round 2018 draftees: Wilson, Daily, Shaddy, Marinconz, and Rhinesmith. Also two hits for Canning at Hags. All of these guys are marking themselves as worth watching. They all were very good in college.

On the flip side, Agustin is really struggling at Auburn after putting up strong numbers at Potomac before he was injured. Maybe he’s coming back too soon?

That hand is a tricky thing . Think about Cliff Floyd in 1995 . DJ and Telemito may have to just rest the summer away. Fingers wrists tendons joints going all the way back to elbows.
Daily and Marincanz plus Caufeld are inexpensive bridges between Garcia , Big Tuna and whoever percolates down in DSL like Danny H plus any kids signed but just building nutrition , English and tone .

That draft was always going to be dependent on Romero to be a success. It is way past time for the Nats to stop trying to get “bargains” by gambling on high risk picks. Purke was a complete bust, Giolito far less than hyped, Fredde looks like A.J. Cole 2.0, only injured and Romero is as big a punk as advertised. That’s a TON of lost opportunity.

Luzardo was drafted as a “bargain.” He was a necessary part of a trade that netted Doolittle, an all-star at a chronically deficient position. Giolito helped bring back Eaton, who is an established valuable asset on a championship-competitive team. Purke was a third round pick, and many third round picks don’t make it.

Randy Moss was a punk who made it to the Hall of Fame. Alan Iverson was a punk who had a great career. Romero is a guy who got suspended and the last chapter is yet to be written.

To that end, the 2017 draft has a number of talents whose ceiling is not yet defined. Crowe, Raquet, Tetrault, McKinney, Strom, Johnson, Hill, Klobotsis, Johnston, Connell, Senior, Blash are all players whose ultimate level is far from a given. The 2016 draftees are far more clear for their ceilings now than they were a year ago. Be patient.

The jury is far from out on the 2017 draft. The 2016 draft was the best in recent memory.

BTW, don’t sleep on Antuna. He is being challenged more than 18 year olds are and in a foreign country and culture. He will be a far more impressive prospect at this time next year. If you look through the negatives there is a lot to like there.

Altuna challenged much like Severino playing in Hags with
Spring climate change for him off I-70.
Anybody think Nats will be facing in some years the big SS Mauricio (S/R)
From the Mets who just hit a 2 run tater off Raffie Lopez in GCL??
Great scan of 2017-2018 drafts
Yes young millenials sometimes keep their attention on lame role models .

Eric Fedde was part of the appease
Harper34 along with bringing on his brother.
Granted that Miami U lefty in Giants rotation now would look nice in the 5 th slot.
Fedde has not reached his full projectory for sure
Rizzo and Lerners getting Harper signed in perfect timing with the MASN contract court ruling would be kismit

FWIW, the Nats actually first drafted Bryan Harper out of high school in 2008 (31st round), before they were in line to get little bro (although considering how they were already tanking by that time, perhaps they could see two years into the future!) Anyway, Bryan was on the Nat radar before Bryce entered the Natosphere.

I should make clear that Bryan Harper didn’t sign at that time; was drafted by the Cubs in 2010, then again by the Nats in 2011. He was said to have an 88-mph heater coming out of the U of South Carolina.

And that 2b keeps hitting in GCL
So , gang , Solis is working on his splits. Suero causes some of us to wAtch a game with a sombrero covering our eyes
Edgin worthy of a sept callup or sooner ? Nyet?
Some of us here are anticipating the trade deadline while others deep down are getting ready for the post Harper34 retool ( much like post Dawson in Montreal with Buck Rodgers and Murray Cook).
Did anyone have their eye brows raised hearing Borras advocate about Harper playing out of sorts with the CF assignments ??
93 F today. The Pirates stadium might see some taters tonight . Hopefully a pitching duel .